The Church of Saint Timothy
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting
November 11, 2009
a.) Website - Pat Pruitt suggested that a Website committee form to make best use of the administration of the parish website. The committee will include Father Cody, Pat Pruitt, Pat Piano, a member of the Parish Council and one other person. Paul Travers will ask Mark Colbert if he would like to represent the Council and chair the committee. Pat Pruitt thanked Bob Shea for his work with the staffing of the website sign-up table at the last Hospitality Sunday.
b.) Goals for the Parish Council - Maureen suggested that a worthy goal would be for the parish to get into the “electronic world”. Paul felt that a 3-ring binder and procedural Handbook should be available for all committees. Theresa volunteered to put the Handbook together. Another goal is to get more families and have more parish participation. The best way to accomplish this is through personal invitations to parishioners to join committees, etc. The Council is looking for a parish photographer.
b.) Liturgy/Environment/Evangelization/Music - Pat Piano reported on her conversation with the Liturgy committee regarding the use of children’s envelopes. The committee was not receptive to this proposal. Ned Wentworth with have a discussion with the CCD teachers and Jayne O’Donnell and Bobbi Moran and get their opinion on the use of children’s envelopes. Some boxes of children’s envelopes will be ordered for special occasions. The Advent Wreath will be lit by new families in the parish. Father Cody will make an initial phone call of welcome to new families. The Memorial Mass for All Saints Day was a great success with over 40 names read. Hosts compatible with wheat-free diets are now available. West Hartford Adult Enrichment will sponsor a concert on Nov. 15th at St. Peter Claver Church to benefit struggling priests. Ron Rothermel is one of the performing musicians. St Timothy Adult Education- Rev. Dr. B.J. Jamestone will facilitate a presentation on Non-Violent Communication on Tuesday, Nov. 17th in Milligan Hall.
c.) Facilities/Buildings/Grounds - Theresa McGrath reported that Mark Colbert met with the Finance Committee to discuss the cost of the signs for the Church. The Finance Committee felt that the necessary dollars are not there this year for the signage proposed. The Council discussed further options for a smaller, less expensive sign and will continue to discuss further. Mark has a meeting with the West Hartford Zoning Board to look at sign dimensions and the results of this meeting may help us make a determination on the signs. Paul will talk to Mark prior to the meeting with the Zoning Board. Pat Pruitt will speak to Regina Neal regarding the look of the signs relative to the current landscaping of the church grounds. Mark met with Justin and will get a template for a spread sheet to look at an audit of what kinds of expenses, warranties, etc the church needs in the future. Mark will meet with Pat Pruitt to go over particulars.
d.) Community Outreach - Maureen Brouillard reported that the committee is preparing for the November Thanksgiving Food Drive which will be Nov 21st and 22nd. Donations will go to St. Peter’s Church in Hartford. The Outreach committee is partnering with the Parish Council and Social Life committee to hold a fundraiser for Food Share. Mert Champagne will bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Pies to be sold after Masses on Nov. 21st and 22nd. Pies will sell for $9.00. Plans are being made for the Christmas Toy Drive on Dec. 12th and 13th . No schools have yet been chosen as recipients. The West Hartford Parishes Outreach Committee will run a town-wide coat drive in 2010-2011 to cover all Hartford schools.
e.) Safe Environment Program - Maureen also reported that the training session: Virtus: “Protecting God’s Children” was held on Tuesday, October 27, 2009. Thirty-two people attended, including people from other congregations. The Archdiocese will soon conduct an audit of this program. There will be a shorter training session for Eucharistic Ministers who visit homes, hospitals and nursing homes.
f.) Finance Council - Tom Policelli reported that the Finance Council met on Nov.3rd. The following items were discussed. 1.) the organ and sound system needs work. The estimated cost is $16K. Ron Rothermel has generously offered to donate half the cost and the Finance Council is trying to fund the rest. The Parish Council thanks Ron for his generosity. It is hoped tht the organ work will be completed before Easter. 2.) As with the previous remarks under Facilities, the Finance Council would like the Parish Council to review and approve the design of the signs on North Main and King Philip Drive. The Finance Council also noted that zoning considerations are necessary early in the process. 3.) YTD Finances- As of September 30th, there is a $192K shortfall. This is versus a budgeted shortfall of $171K. For the same period last year, our shortfall was $62K. The difference between 2008 and 2009 was evenly divided; last year’s revenue was $65K higher for the first nine months and expenses last year were $65K lower. Investment income is down $13K and $40K less has been collected in the offertory this year. Key to our overall finances is the weekly collection, and our $7K weekly target has been rarely met. A reminder will be put in the church bulletin. 4.) As of Nov. 9th, about $115K has been collected for the Annual Fund. The annual parish collection is used to offset the annual operating deficit. 5.) Since the Archdiocese will be soon explaining a donation system that they will be operating, our discussion of Automated/Electronic donations is on hold.
g.) Parish Life/Social Committee - Bob Shea reported that Bobbi Moran and the Youth Group will help with Hospitality Sunday for the next few months. Bob will speak with Leslie Costello and ask her to help get church and school activities into the community newspapers. We should also look into List Serve-Town of West Hartford to get our notices out to the community. The Knights will look into digital photos for children’s visit to Santa on Hospitality Sunday. Bob is checking into wine/cheese for Hospitality “Saturday” after the 4:00 P.M. Mass. He will also speak with Mary Zeman about a Spaghetti Dinner sometime in February. Pat Pruitt will check availability dates in O’Connell Hall for this event.
h.) School Board/Education - Marilyn McGoldrick reported that the 7th grade took part in pumpkin carving at Duncaster. The school book fair netted $500.00. Dr. Balkun has had an informal open house at a Bugbee family home and will continue this approach. Dr, Balkun had a Principal’s reception at his home which was also a beer tasting. This netted $4K for scholarships. The school also received $6K from the Davis family. The school is working on an application to become a Blue Ribbon School. Sr. Ann deManbey, children’s counselor, will be at the school two days a week.
Comments by Others: Paul mentioned his conversation with Sy Kirby about the proper use of the boiler room as a storage area. Paul will contact Steve Balkun and Justin Gilhooly.
Respectfully submitted,
Bette Marafino